Scholarships

Scholarship Information

Through its donors, The Laredo Area Community Foundation  helps students achieve their educational dreams.  Each fund has its own criteria and based on the donor’s interest. Some scholarship funds are for a specific area of study while others are for students representing the first generation in their family to pursue higher education.

Below is a list of the various LACF supported scholarships. Click the link for more information.

The Annabelle Uribe Hall and William N. (Billy) Hall, Jr. Scholarship Endowment fund was established by Anabelle Uribe Hall in September 2019. This scholarship is eligible to Martin High School seniors that will be attending the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M International University, or Laredo College.

 

 

Rhoda “Rusty” Baylor Harrell grew up on the Baylor family ranch near Cotulla in La Salle County, Texas. Her son, Jim Harrell, is one of LACF’s original founders and board members. Rusty wanted to create a scholarship benefiting students graduating from Cotulla High School. The scholarship supports those attending both 4-year universities and community college/trade school. Rusty’s son, Jim, and her grandchildren, as well as her cousins, Louisa Franklin, Margaret Sturges, and Keith Franklin, all continue her legacy today by serving on the Baylor Family Scholarship committee.

Applications are available at Cotulla High School.

Mr. & Mrs. Lester Avigael established a tuition assistance scholarship at United Day School in their names. The Avigaels had been avid supporters of the school while their children and grandchildren attended the school and wanted to continue stimulating the growth of UDS with deserving students. Scholarship applications for economically disadvantaged families are available through UDS counselor. Students are selected by the LACF Scholarship Committee. Two scholarships are rewarded annually.

Apply directly at United Day School.

Realizing that economically disadvantaged students who lack college education role models and reinforcement at home were at risk, Hank and Elizabeth Sames established a professor mentorship program at TAMIU and a four year scholarship program with United Independent School District. Each year, eight (8) rising sophomores who are first generation college-bound, benefit from the mentoring and upon graduation receive a four year scholarship of $4000 to TAMIU.

Students must maintain an academic GPA of 3.5 or better, adhere to UISD’s code of conduct and be accepted to TAMIU.

To apply please, click on the link below.

Click Here to Download Informational Flyer

 

 

The Junior Achievement Scholars Scholarship Endowment fund was established in 2019.  This scholarship is eligible to students who volunteer with Junior Achievement.  Students can major in any subject area, attend their university/college of choice, must maintain a full-time enrollment status, and must maintain a passing overall GPA as defined by their university/college of choice.  This is a renewable scholarship for up to 4 years.

 

In the word’s of the late President John F. Kennedy in his inaugural address, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,” Lance Corporal Espinoza embodied this treasured moment in history and carried it with him throughout his life’s journey.  As a toddler, he always wanted to play with his plastic soldiers, envisioning different scenarios.  No matter how many years have passed since then, he always told everyone that knew him that he was going to become a US Marine.  A dream he pursued into reality when he joined the ranks of the United States Marine Corps in August of 2019, two years ago.  David was born in Laredo, Texas, and raised in Rio Bravo, Texas, his hometown.  Never the outspoken type, he was shy at first, but when you got to know him, you got to know the beautiful, caring, honest, and loyal person he truly was.  He was educated in the United Independent School District, having attended Lyndon B. Johnson High School, graduating in the summer of 2019.  Immediately after graduating, he went off to MCRD in San Diego, California for basic training.  Lance Corporal Espinoza then went to the school of Infantry at Camp  Pendleton and most recently, received his orders to Afghanistan for the withdrawal of the US forces after a 20 year-long conflict.  David never once complained about his assignment, rather, took it to heart to give back to those whom he was sent to protect.  He, alongside 12 other servicemen and women, was killed in action, doing what they were trained to do: protect and defend.  The tremendous sacrifice will forever be remembered not only by his beloved family but the nation as a whole.

The Lance Corporal David Lee Espinoza scholarship was established 2021 and will be awarded for this first time this year.  The following are the requirements:

  • Student from El Cenizo preferred
  • The student must meet the federal guidelines of a financially disadvantaged student based on the Free Application for the Federal Student Aid.
  • This is a one-time, non-renewable scholarship.

 

 

 

 

 

Drs. Gladys and Roger Keene, parents of the late Dr. Marissa Keene established a tuition assistance scholarship in her honor for deserving students attending St. Augustine High School and college. St. Augustine High School allowed Marissa, as a student and athlete, to reach deep within herself to ultimately succeed and find happiness as a devoted mother and physician. This award preserves Marissa Keene’s legacy promoting the spirit of hope through education. Applications are available from the St. Augustine High School. counselor for both types of awards.

Applications are available at St. Augustine High School.

Originally from Washington County, Texas, Mary Roese Martin attended Texas Woman’s University and graduated in 1942. Upon graduation, Mary moved to South Texas to teach high school English in Cotulla, where she met J.W. Martin. They later married in Laredo, Texas and moved to reside at the Martin family ranch in Cotulla. Mary Roese Martin was a proud alumna of Texas Woman’s University and seeks to encourage students from Dimmit, Duval, La Salle, McMullen and Webb Counties to attend her alma mater by offering a scholarship to a worthy student.

 

 

 

With only a high school education, Chicago native Ernest H. Mendelsohn established a very successful wholesale electronics business. In the early 1970’s Ernest and his wife Hannah, retired to Zapata, TX, to escape the harsh winters of Chicago. The Mendelsohns soon fell in love with the people of South Texas and embrace it as it second home. Upon his wife’s death, Ernest established a scholarship fund in loving tribute to her.

Two graduating seniors from Zapata High School receive a four (4) year scholarship of $4000 to the college of their choice.

In order to renew the scholarship, Mendelsohn Scholars are to maintain an overall 3.0 GPA at the end of each semester.  Please submit an official college transcript to LACF at the end of each academic semester by mail to P.O. Box 450223 Laredo, TX 78045 or by email to admin@laredofoundation.org.

 

Mike Castillo was Laredo Morning Time’s management information systems director.  He was a most valued member of the managers’ team and joined LMT in 1996 after earning a master’s degree in computer science at Texas A&M International University.  He worked effectively with his counterparts at Hearst properties in San Antonio, Houston and New York and with third-party vendors creating new systems for installation at LMT. He developed a positive reputation among Hearst colleagues and is remembered for his high standard of excellence, dedication, teamwork, perseverance, accomplishment and friendship.

Mike’s high standard of excellence and passion for technology lives on through his scholarship that benefits a Texas A&M International University student majoring in Computer Science.

 

Odilon “Odie” Arambula was a newspaper and humanitarian legend. During a nearly seven decade career at the Laredo Morning Times he covered top local and regional news, like the JFK assassination; the building of the of IH-35 and the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge through the heart of downtown Laredo. He was a civic workhorse having founded, served, in numerous capacities with several civic organizations. Odie helped found South Texas Food Bank, Laredo Literacy Volunteers of America, and served for over 45 years on the executive board of Ruthe B. Cowl. Odie’s passion for communications and support of Laredo lives on through his scholarship that benefits a Texas A&M International University student enrolled in the Communications School.

 

William B. Green established the STEAM Scholars Endowment to recognize and reward an outstanding volunteer or employee from the Imaginarium of South Texas who is pursuing their higher education in a STEAM discipline.

 

 

 

Stewart K. Martin Scholarship was established, by his daughter Melissa Peters, for graduates of Cotulla High School attending college. The late Stewart Martin, owner of the iconic Ben’s Western Wear in Cotulla, TX, had a commitment to growth and development of Cotulla. Students giving back to his beloved community by actively serving its needs are selected by the LACF Scholarship Committee.

 

Cedro Hill Wind, LLC established the Webb Consolidated Independent District (Webb CISD) Higher Education Fund. This fund supports recently graduated students seeking a post-secondary education and/or pre-graduation opportunities by current students of Webb CISD.

Application are available at Webb CISD.

Webb CISD scholarship recipients are to submit a student information form by July 1st before the start of the new academic year.

In 2012, the Women’s City Club decided to meet the needs of teachers in our community and created a scholarship to education majors at Laredo  College.

Applications available at Laredo College.